A defence of the country parsons admonition against the exceptions of the plain-man's answer. Assheton, William, 1641-1711. 1687 Approx. 17 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A26060 Wing A4028 ESTC R219342 99830821 99830821 35275 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A26060) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 35275) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2047:4) A defence of the country parsons admonition against the exceptions of the plain-man's answer. Assheton, William, 1641-1711. [2], 22 p. printed, and are to be sold by R. Taylor near Stationers-Hall, London : 1687. With an imprimatur on the verso of the title page dated: April 4. 1687. By William Assheton. Reproduction of the original in the Merton College Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Christian literature -- Early works to 1800. Christian life -- Protestant authors -- Early works to 1800. 2006-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-03 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-05 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2006-05 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A DEFENCE OF THE Country Parsons ADMONITION , Against the EXCEPTIONS OF THE Plain-man's Answer . LONDON , Printed , and are to be sold by R. Taylor near Stationers-Hall , 1687. Imprimatur . Guil. Needham April 4. 1687. A DEFENCE OF THE Country Parson's ADMONITION . THere is a Paper called The Plain Man's Answer , &c. Which hath made some Reflections upon The Country Parson's Admonition . But how justly and with what success ( being directed to make short work on 't ) I do thus briefly examine . The exceptions against that little Tract , are 1. General . 2. Special . 1. His general exception is against the Person who gives you this Advice . Who , as he pretends , is not duly qualified to write Admonitions , because he is not Infallible . For thus he expostulates with me . Sir , You do not pretend to such Infallibility ; and therefore if I must rely upon the Ministerial Function , I ought in case it can be found , to seek out such a one as is unerring . ( Plain Man's Answer , p. 3. ) And again . But what ! must I stand to the Direction of the Ministerial Function ? Can it secure me that the Reverend Divines of the Church of England have hit upon the right sence of Scripture ? But I see they pretend not to such an Infallibility . And therefore Sir , I must needs tell you , that as when I make choice of a Physitian or Lawyer , I love to chuse the best . So , if I must make choice of a Director , I must and will make choice of him , that can give me security that he neither can nor will lead me astray ; for I do not love to rely upon any thing that can deceive me . [ p. 5. ] The sum of which charge , when resolved into plain English , is this . These Divines of the Church of England ( are so modest ) they dare not pretend to be Infallible ( for they know but in part , 1 Cor. 13. 12. ) and therefore they are not fit to be trusted with the care of Souls . Do not hearken to them , nor regard their Admonitions . But the Priests of the Church of Rome ( if we could but make you believe it ) they are Infallible , i. e. they neither can nor will deceive you . But are these Missioners in earnest whilst they insinuate such Things ? Do they really believe themselves when they talk at this rate ? To put them to the Test ; Ask this very Missioner ; whether He , or any other private Priest in the Church of Rome , is Infallible ? And let him not think to satisfy your doubts by declaring ; That he doth not find any other , but those called Roman Catholicks , that offer to challenge it . ( pag. 2. ) What 's this to the purpose ? We need not be told that they challenge to be infallible ; We do not suspect their confidence , but expect their proof . But now if this Missioner shall acknowledge , that neither he nor any other private Priest is infallible ( and I know he dares not pretend the contrary ) you are then to be admonished , from his own Principles , that such fallible and erring Guides are not fit to be trusted . You have lately been reminded , not to pin your faith upon anothers sleeve , unless you could be sure that such a one on whom you rely , could not , nor would not deceive you . ( p. 3. ) And therefore ( my good Parishioners ) since some body must direct you , pray do you consider ; whether it is not more prudent to trust your own Parson , then a fallible pretending Priest ? If this Missioner shall then further propose ; that though he is not infallible himself , yet he can bring you to an Infallible Church , and that 's as good . To this you may Answer ; That though your Parson is not infallible , yet he can bring you to infallible Scriptures , and that 's better . And 't is pertinent to observe ; that the Romanists themselves , as well as we , do acknowledg these Holy Scriptures to be infallible ; But we Protestants do declare ; That the Church of Rome is not infallible . And therefore , since in all doubtful Cases the safest part is to be chosen ( and that 's safest , say the Priests , wherein both sides are agreed ) do you stick to the Scriptures , and let them take their Church . I shall not now enter upon the Merits of the Cause ; by examining the nature of this pretended Infallibility . Neither , at present , shall I take notice of those Reasons , which are here produced by this Missioner to support it . These , God willing , shall be considered in their proper place , viz. in my Reflections upon the Missioners Answer to the Plain-man's Reply . Which I hope , in due time , to publish . So much for his General Exception . His Exceptions in Special , are against those Directions , which by way of expedient , I desired you to observe . 1. He is not well pleased that I send you to your Prayers . To Pray unto God to give you his Grace ; to hold fast the Profession of your Faith without wavering , Heb. 10. 23. But this is to correct St. Paul , and not the Country-Parson . Who thinks it very proper ( since we are to pray in Faith ) to turn an Apostolick Precept into a Prayer . And being admonished by the Apostle to hold fast our Profession : in an humble dependance upon the divine Grace , we pray unto God to enable us to do it . However at last he gives you leave to say your Prayers . But then he tells you , it must be in this Form. If I be not in the right , &c. And If I be in the right , &c. But will this Missioner allow his new Converts , to pray with these If 's and And 's ? If he grants them such liberty , let me then desire them daily to repeat this Prayer . If the Church of Rome , of which I have now professed my self a Member , is not a sound Catholick Church ; but in any instance is erroneous Superstitions and Idolatrous ; Lord pardon my Errors , and lead me into the way of Truth . And if the Reformation of the Church of England , is just and warantable , and agreeable to thy Holy Word ; Lord open mine Eyes ; that I may acknowledge my mistake and return into her Communion . Amen . If here it shall be further urged ; That this conditional way of praying is indeed very fit for Protestants , who are not infallibly secure that their Faith is true , being various and uncertain ; [ p. 3. ] But these kind of Prayer are never to be used by Roman Catholicks , who are certain that their Faith is true ; and that they are in the right , as being Members of an Infallible Church : Tell him ; This is only to talk big , and to be Judge in his own Cause . For , 1. A man may be certain , and sure that he is in the right , without being Infallible . 2. There is greater uncertainty ; more Divisions and diversity of Opinions ( and that in matters of Faith ) in the Chruch of Rome , then there are in the Church of England . If he startles at the Charge , and thinks himself affronted ; desire him ( for his satisfaction ) to return an Answer , to the Learned Dr. Stilling fleet upon that Subject . The 2. Direction ( with which likewise he is pleased to find fault ) was this ; When you read the HolyScriptures , and do find some place which is too difficult for you , do not then pretend to interpret it your selves . But beg the Direction of your Spiritual Guide ; and desire him to shew you how it is to be understood . It seems thisGentleman is resolved to shew his skill ; other-wise this Expedient ( for a Reason that he knows ) might have pass'd without his Censure . 'T is very surprizing ; that a Romish Priest , who expects such blind obedience to his Dictates , should yet be thus offended at this honest Advice . Byt the Reason is evident . For whilst the good Protestants of England are so kind to Vs , and so careful of themselves , as to own their Clergy ( as Blessed be God they do , notwithstanding all the Arts of Rome to withdraw them from us ) I say , whist they stick to their Clergy , through Gods Blessing , they are certainly safe . As to the slavery of such submission ( which this Author suggests ) with respect to the Church of England , 't is an invidious Reflection . We do indeed desire you to take our Advice . Not for that we have Dominion over your Faith , but are helpers of your joy : for by Faith ye stand , 2 Cor. 1. 24. Now the Scripture is the only Rule of our Faith ; and as such ( to use his own expression ) we will stand and fall by it . ( Plain-man's Answer . p. 4. ) And therefore ( as he well reminds you ) you must search diligently and soberly into it your selves . ( lb. p. 4. ) Imitate those noble Bereans , who received the word with all readiness of mind , and searched the Scriptures daily , whether those things were so . Acts 17. 11. But to what purpose ( thinks this Author ) do you read the Scriptures , which neither you , nor your Clergy , can pretend to interpret ? And why not ? Cannot the Divines of the Church of England interpret Scripture as well as the Priests of the Church of Rome ? No saith he , because they are not infallible , ( and thus he upbraids us at least ten times in this very Answer . ) But what strange impertinence is this ? That those men should be thus concern'd for the want of infallibility in others , who have so little of it themselves . For is there any thing more fallible and contradicting , then those vast Volums of Popish Commentators , that even make our shelves to crack ? And yet all these , fallible as they are , owned and published , with the usual Approbations , and permissu Superiorum . Now had I leasure to expostulate , I would desire this Missioner ( who writes to me in your name ) to resolve me . That since it would be very profitable for all Christians , that the Scriptures should be infallibly interpreted ; why doth the Church of Rome employ particular Doctors to Interpret them fallibly ? Why are such different and contradictory Expositions published by her Authority ? Why doth she not rather Petition his Holiness , or whoever else is best able to do it , to explain them Infallibly ? Why doth she hide her Candle under a Bushel , and keep her Talent , of interpreting Scripture infallibly , wrapt up in a Napkin ? How such unfaithfulness can be answer'd to her Lord and Master Jesus Christ , I leave him sadly to consider . To him that knoweth to do good and doth it not , to him it is sin . James 4. 17. 3. I did direct you ; As far as possible to avoid all Disputes about Religion . And thus far he allows you to follow my Advice . For he hates contentions , heats and animosities . And indeed so do I , as being fully convinced , that it is much more profitable , both for me and my Parish , to spend my time in Devotion and practical Discourses , then in these unpleasing Disputes . And I have great reason to affirm ; That the rest of my Brethren of the Church of England , are likewise of the same mind . But since the importunity of others , in seducing our People , hath forced us to it , we dare not now be silent : and think our selves obliged as good Shepherds , not only to feed our Flocks ; but also to keep them from wandring into by-paths , and to defend them from those that would lead them astray . To his Exceptions against my Fourth Expedient I do thus Reply . That it will be time enough to enquire after the Priviledges of the Roman Church , when you are first convinced ; That it is your Duty to leave the Communion of the Church of England . Now whoever would perswade you to such a Separation ( I told you if he will proceed rationally and to the purpose ) he must first convince you ; That the Church of England is no sound Member of the Church Catholick : But that her Doctrine is either Defective or False . If he pretends that it is Defective ; he must then shew , that there are some Truths necessarily to be believed , as Articles of Faith , which the Church of England doth not receive as such . And also that there are some necessary Duties , or Parts of Worship , which the Church of England either wholly omits , or else doth not require under any such necessity . But if he affirms , Secondly , That the Doctrine of the Church of England is False , he must then prove ; That the Church of England doth require some unlawful Condition of her Communion ; and that either in Faith or Worship . Plainly thus . He must make it appear That her Faith is Erroneous , and contrary to the written word of God ; The Faith once deliver'd to the Saints . Or else that her Worship is unlawful , Superstitious or Idolatrous . All this indeed he thought very reasonable . And because he hath no leasure for long enquiries , ( p. 7. ) I will not be so rude as to press him beyond his Measures . However I must be so obliging as to assure him ; That when he hath found his Arguments , I shall be ready to attend him . And now ( my good Parishioners ) having dispatcht this Answer , let me thus briefly enforce my former Admonition . 'T IS a serious thing to change your Religion . Eternity depends upon it . And therefore 't is an unpardonable Error , to be guilty of rashness in so weighty a concern . Be not perswaded out of your Senses with confidence and noise . Nor do you presently conclude , that some men are in the Right ; because they say it is impossible they should be in the Wrong . If they think to frighten you into their way by telling you ; that you are other-wise Damned : Regard such threatnings no more then you would the Ravings of a Quaker . For not he that commendeth himself is approved , but whom the Lord Commendeth . 2 Cor. 10. 18. Be not discouraged ; nor suspect the truth of your Faith , because at first hearing you cannot Answer a Sophistical Objection . Thinking men , who expect solid Arguments , may possibly be surpriz'd , on the suddain , with such slender Stuff . For even a Child may puzzle a States-man , at Riddle my Riddle . But these kind of Tricks , when a little examined , how trifling do they appear ? and signify nothing but the Confidence of those who urge them . Remember this , and shew your selves men . FINIS .